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A scenic route winding its way through the Valle Umbra
Assisi – Spello – Spoleto – Montefalco – Bevagna – Torgiano – Perugia
This ‘Treasures of the green valley tour’ is a leisure version with less miles to cycle each day. You cycle along quiet country roads and parts of the Assisi-Spoleto cycle path, surrounded by colourful fields, with a beautiful backdrop of hills covered with silver-green olive groves and fertile vineyards. Umbria has been praised for its pure beauty since Roman times, because of its greenness, many lakes, rivers, refreshing springs, mountain streams and waterfalls. The route crosses mainly the valley with only some rolling parts that will bring you to lovely small, medieval towns. Thanks to the reduced daily distances, you will have enough time to visit these towns.
The tour starts and finishes at the pilgrimage town of Assisi, which rises on a mountainous branch of the Monte Subasio, and its highest point, where the castle is located, is 505m a.s.l.. There is a lot to see and enjoy! Most monuments are connected with the lives of Saint Francis and Clare, both born in Assisi. Walking through the maze of alleys and crossing tiny squares surrounded by medieval palaces is a memorable experience. On the first day a panoramic road brings you to the medieval town of Spello. With a nice descent into the valley you arrive at Foligno with its magnificent Duomo and Palazzo Trinci. Pedaling a scenic route that winds its way through the fertile valley till Casco dell’Acqua, situated at the refreshing Clitunno-river and immersed in an enchanting oasis of peace. The second day after a short ride you have enough time to visit Spoleto. It is an animated town with many sights to visit, such as the Duomo with frescoes of the Florentine painter Filippo Lippi, the Roman Theatre and the medieval bridge Ponte delle Torri.
The second part of the tour will bring you to MONTEFALCO, Bevagna, Torgiano and Perugia, the capital of the province, with its solemn Renaissance palaces, museums, impressive churches and tightly winding shopping streets. A short ride along the quiet country roads of the valley will bring you back to Assisi, which you will already see from afar.
PROGRAM A
The start of this cycle tour is in Assisi. If you arrive early you could already visit this amazing medieval town. There is a lot to see and many monuments have been erected here in honor of the saints Francis and Clare. At the end of the afternoon drop off bicycles, if rented, bike fitting and route briefing. Overnight with breakfast in *** or **** star hotel.
You leave your hotel and cycle along the slopes of Mount Subasio to Spello. There is enough time this morning to wander around this charming ancient town, pleasantly situated on the southern slopes of Mount Subasio. In urban, architectural and artistic terms, Spello is an extremely interesting town, containing many features dating back to the Roman and medieval times. Spello is also called the town of flowers, because of its many colourful little alleys embellished with plants and flowers. The town is well known for its special flower festival (‘infiorata’) for Corpus Domini. After Spello you descend to Foligno, which is in the valley. You pass along the main square with its beautiful ‘duomo’, which still has a Romanesque façade. Continuing along the lively main shopping street, you will leave the town to cycle the last km of your route, across the fertile valley with its colourful fields and various waterways. Your country house is situated in the village Casco dell’Acqua.
Overnight stay with breakfast in Casco dell’Acqua
Distance: 26 km / 16,2 mi
Ascent/descent +166 – 329m
Also today the typical Umbrian landscape will be your travel companion. You come to Bevagna, one of the few town centres positioned in the valley and not on a hilltop. Also Bevagna has a Roman past and a medieval look. Particular is the square ‘piazza Silvestri’, a lively meeting point for the inhabitants, with the gothic palazzo dei Consoli and the two Romanesque churches. Nice to visit are also the Roman mosaics and a medieval house. Bevagna makes part of the Sagrantino D.O.C.G. and Montefalco Rosso D.O.C. wine area. After your satisfying visit you return to the country house Casco dell’Acqua.
Overnight stay with breakfast at Casco dell’Acqua
Distance: 35 km /21,7 mi
Ascent/Descent: + 108m -109m
This morning the route among olive groves will take you to Spoleto. You can already see Spoleto from afar, with its castle dominating the hilltop on which the medieval part of the town is built. The centre is still largely inside the medieval town walls. Spoleto is very famous for its music festival ‘dei due mondi’, held end of June, beginning of July. There is a lot to see in Spoleto, including the cathedral with its famous frescoes by the Florentine painter Filippo Lippi, the Roman house and the Roman theatre with an annexed archaeological museum. Leaving Spoleto you cycle along quiet country roads to San Luca, at the foot of Montefalco..
Overnight stay with breakfast in San Luca
Distance: 45,7 km / 28,4 mi
Ascent / Descent: +262m – 247m
Your overnight stay is at the foot of Montefalco, you have the option to continue cycling through the valley directly to Torgiano or to visit Montefalco, but to reach this lovely town you first have to conquer a severe climb. Montefalco (472 m a.s.l.) is also known as the ‘balcony of Umbria’, because of the fantastic panorama. Artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino decorate the Franciscan church, now a museum, with magnificent 15th and 16th century frescoes. Montefalco is well-known for its excellent wines, Rosso di Montefalco d.o.c. and Sagrantino d.o.c.g , produced on the sunny slopes around the town, and of course it is almost impossible to leave the town without tasting them in one of the many wine bars.
From Montefalco you go downhill and cycling through the valley you will reach Torgiano another wine-town up. Torgiano is a small ‘borgo’ at the confluence of the rivers Chiascio and Tiber (Tevere), famous for its excellent wines. It has a nice wine museum and olive oil museum. Your hotel is in the quiet town centre.
Higher route passing Montefalco
Distance: 36,9 km / 22,9 mi
Ascent/descent +339m – 344m
Low route NOT passing Montefalco
Distance: 39,2 km / 24,4 mi
Ascent/descent +179m – 186m
Today there are different options:
1. Visiting Perugia: cycling and train
This trip takes you to the neighbouring town of Perugia, which is the capital of the province. A short cycle tour takes you to the station in Ponte S.Giovanni at the foot of Perugia. From here a local train will take you into the historical centre of Perugia. The centre, with its little alleys and characteristic town squares, is a lively vibrant place. The renaissance palaces, medieval churches, museums and many galleries will make a lasting impression. After your visit, you return by train and bike to the peaceful, hospitable town of Torgiano.
Distance: 24 km / 14,9 mi
Ascent/descent +218m – 212m
2. Visiting Perugia: cycling to the old town centre (32 km / 19,9 mi)
This trip takes you to Perugia, which is the capital of the province. Cycling along quiet country roads, you reach Perugia. A climb will bring you to the old town centre, with its little alleys and characteristic town squares. There is a lot to see like renaissance palaces, medieval churches, museums and many galleries. After your visit, you return cycling to the peaceful, hospitable town of Torgiano.
Distance: 32 km / 19,9 mi
Ascent/descent +400m – 442m
3. A loop in the surroundings of Torgiano (30 km / 18,6 mi or 45 km / 28 mi)
Close to Torgiano (6 km) is the village of Deruta, which has in part, managed to retain the highly distinctive features of its medieval buildings. Deruta is universally famous for its ceramics. The origins of this ancient art go back as far as the Etruscan times and nowadays the many local workshops still make excellent quality ceramics. Numerous Italian and foreign museums have pieces of Deruta ceramics on show, including the Victoria and Albert Museum. The town hall hosts the art gallery and the ceramics museum. The next stop is the sanctuary of Madonna dei Bagni, which has built after a miracle, which took place in the year 1657. Inside the church, there are more than 600 votive tiles, all testimony to the tradition of the Deruta ceramics. Cycling through a beautiful hilly landscape, you pass typical Umbrian hamlets like Casalalta. Your cycle back to Torgiano is through the Tiber valley.
Long & higher route
Distance: 45 km / 28 mi
Ascent/descent +508m – 546m
Short & lower route
Distance: 30 km / 18,6 mi
Ascent/descent +217m – 215m
Today you will cross the valley, cycling on quiet country roads. You will already see Assisi from afar as, like many other Umbrian towns, it is built on a hilltop. Before reaching Assisi, however, you can stop for a moment to visit the Franciscan basilica in S.Maria degli Angeli. Under its impressive dome still lies the humble little chapel ‘Porziuncola’ where Saint Francis came to pray.
To reach the beautiful historical centre of Assisi you have to make a short steep climb, but wandering through the town you will agree that it was worth the effort. You will have enough time to visit the main monuments of the town, like the basilica of Saint Francis with its beautiful frescoes by the painters Giotto, Simone Martini, Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti. Your overnight stay will be in the hotel where you started your tour.
Overnight stay with breakfast in Assisi
Distance: 25 km / 15,5 mi
Ascent/descent +251 – 54m
After breakfast end of tour.
PROGRAM B
The start of this cycle tour is in Assisi. If you arrive early you could already visit this amazing medieval town. There is a lot to see and many monuments have been erected here in honor of the saints Francis and Clare. At the end of the afternoon drop off bicycles, if rented, bike fitting and route briefing. Overnight with breakfast in *** or **** star hotel.
You leave your hotel and cycle along the slopes of Mount Subasio to Spello. There is enough time this morning to wander around this charming ancient town, pleasantly situated on the southern slopes of Mount Subasio. In urban, architectural and artistic terms, Spello is an extremely interesting town, containing many features dating back to the Roman and medieval times. Spello is also called the town of flowers, because of its many colourful little alleys embellished with plants and flowers. The town is well known for its special flower festival (‘infiorata’) for Corpus Domini. After Spello you descend to Foligno, which is in the valley. You pass along the main square with its beautiful ‘duomo’, which still has a Romanesque façade. Continuing along the lively main shopping street, you will leave the town to cycle the last km of your route, across the fertile valley with its colourful fields and various waterways. Your country house is situated just outside the village of Casco dell’Acqua
Overnight stay with breakfast in Casco dell’Acqua
Distance: 26 km / 16,2 mi
Ascent/descent +166 – 329m
Cycling through the Umbrian Valley among its rivers, canals and fields up to Spoleto, a welcoming city with many excellent restaurants, little shops offering typical products such as truffles, wine and olive oil and artisanal products. The historic center, still largely surrounded by medieval walls, is built on a hill. There is much to visit such as the cathedral, the bridge of the towers, the fortress, a Roman house and the Roman theater with the archaeological museum. The hotel is located in the historical center
Distance: 28 km / 17,5 mi
Ascent / descent +332 – 162m
This morning you cycle through an undulating landscape and you will already see Montefalco from a distance. To reach this lovely town you first have to conquer a climb. Montefalco (472 m a.s.l.) is also known as the ‘balcony of Umbria’, because of the fantastic panorama. The Franciscan church, now a museum, is decorated with magnificent 15th and 16th century frescoes by artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino. Montefalco is well-known for its excellent wines, Rosso di Montefalco d.o.c. and Sagrantino d.o.c.g , produced on the sunny slopes around the town, and of course it is almost impossible to leave the town without tasting them in one of the many wine bars. You have your overnight stay in the old town centre
Distance: 29,1 km / 18 mi
Ascent / descent +457m – 367m
Saying goodbye to Montefalco, you start with a nice downhill ride and through the valley it goes up to Torgiano, a small ‘borgo’ at the confluence of the rivers Chiascio and Tiber (Tevere), famous for its excellent wines. It has a nice wine and olive oil museum. Your hotel is in the quiet town centre.
Distance: 34 km / 21 mi
Ascent / descent +193m – 430m
Today there are different options:
1. Visiting Perugia: cycling and train (24 km / 14,9 mi)
This trip takes you to the neighbouring town of Perugia, which is the capital of the province. A short cycle tour takes you to the station in Ponte S.Giovanni at the foot of Perugia. From here a local train will take you into the historical centre of Perugia. The centre, with its little alleys and characteristic town squares, is a lively vibrant place. The renaissance palaces, medieval churches, museums and many galleries will make a lasting impression. After your visit, you return by train and bike to the peaceful, hospitable town of Torgiano.
2. Visiting Perugia: cycling to the old town centre (32 km / 19,9 mi)
This trip takes you to Perugia, which is the capital of the province. Cycling along quiet country roads, you reach Perugia. A climb will bring you to the old town centre, with its little alleys and characteristic town squares. There is a lot to see like renaissance palaces, medieval churches, museums and many galleries. After your visit, you return cycling to the peaceful, hospitable town of Torgiano.
3. A loop in the surroundings of Torgiano (30 km / 18,6 mi or 45 km / 28 mi)
Close to Torgiano (6 km) is the village of Deruta, which has in part, managed to retain the highly distinctive features of its medieval buildings. Deruta is universally famous for its ceramics. The origins of this ancient art go back as far as the Etruscan times and nowadays the many local workshops still make excellent quality ceramics. Numerous Italian and foreign museums have pieces of Deruta ceramics on show, including the Victoria and Albert Museum. The town hall hosts the art gallery and the ceramics museum. The next stop is the sanctuary of Madonna dei Bagni, which has built after a miracle, which took place in the year 1657. Inside the church, there are more than 600 votive tiles, all testimony to the tradition of the Deruta ceramics. Cycling through a beautiful hilly landscape, you pass typical Umbrian hamlets like Casalalta. Your cycle back to Torgiano is through the Tiber valley. Torgiano, like Montefalco, is famous for its excellent red and white wines. There is an interesting wine museum to visit and next-door you can taste the wines of the Lungarotti family in the ‘osteria’.
Today you will cross the valley, cycling on quiet country roads. You will already see Assisi from afar as, like many other Umbrian towns, it is built on a hilltop. Before reaching Assisi, however, you can stop for a moment to visit the Franciscan basilica in S.Maria degli Angeli. Under its impressive dome still lies the humble little chapel ‘Porziuncola’ where Saint Francis came to pray.
To reach the beautiful historical centre of Assisi you have to make a short steep climb, but wandering through the town you will agree that it was worth the effort. You will have enough time to visit the main monuments of the town, like the basilica of Saint Francis with its beautiful frescoes by the painters Giotto, Simone Martini, Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti. Your overnight stay will be in the hotel where you started your tour.
After breakfast end of tour.
Treasures impressions
Assisi – Spello – Spoleto – Montefalco – Bevagna – Torgiano – Perugia
level 2
You cycle through a landscape of gentle, rolling hills. This generally easy route, mostly flat, with short daily distances, makes this an ideal tour for leisure cyclists. There are not too many climbs and if possible there will be offered an alternative.
Average daily distances:
between 25 km – 47 km / 15,5 mi – 29 mi
Total km:
minimum about 170 km / 105 mi
or maximum 247 km / 153 mi
departures
Self-Guided: from 1 April till 31 October (except 04/08-18/08/2024)
Guided tour: on request.
participants
1 or more people.
Start / Finish
Assisi / Assisi
Umbria escape
This short cycling tour in Umbria leads you over quiet country roads among the sunny, colourful fields with a beautiful backdrop of hills covered.
The treasures of the green Valley
You cycle through a landscape of gentle, rolling hills. This generally easy route, mostly flat, with short daily distances makes this an ideal tour for leisure cyclists. There are not too many climbs and if possible there will be offered an alternative.
Medieval villages and a fascinating lake
Rediscovering beauty is one of the objectives of this cycling trip, which offers a complete and extraordinary overview of alluring Umbria.